About the peanut allergen
Peanut allergy is one of the most common allergies in the Western world, and can cause anything from mild to severe reactions in people who are sensitive to the allergen.
Common peanut proteins that cause allergic reaction
The peanut allergen consists of several protein components, including Ara h1, Ara h2, Ara h3 and Ara h6, which are the most common peanut proteins that cause allergic reactions. These proteins are stable and resistant to heat and enzymatic degradation, allowing them to survive cooking and digestion and cause allergic reactions even after the peanuts have been processed.
Symptoms of peanut allergy
The peanut allergen can cause a variety of allergic symptoms, including hives, itching, swelling, asthma, vomiting and anaphylaxis - a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
How can I find out if I am allergic to peanut proteins?
To find out if you are allergic to peanut proteins, you can take a blood test that measures the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood. The result shows if you have elevated levels of IgE antibodies against peanut proteins, which may indicate an allergy to peanuts.
It is important to note that blood tests are not the only method to investigate a peanut allergy. Other tests, such as skin tests or food provocation tests, may also be used in conjunction with regular healthcare to confirm a peanut allergy.
